Computer system and display method thereof

ABSTRACT

A computer system having a main body, a first display device connected to the main body to display a picture and at least one other display device in communication with the main body to display a picture. The computer system has a user selection part to input a selection of displaying an image displayed on the first display device on the at least one other display device until another input selection or release. A control part controls transmission of a video signal corresponding to the selected image to the at least one other display device based on the user selection part. Thus, same or different images can be displayed on a plurality of display devices according to a user selection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 2003-30658, filed on May 14, 2003, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a computer system and a displaymethod thereof, and more particularly to a computer system provided witha plurality of display devices simultaneously displaying same ordifferent pictures as needed, and a display method with such computersystem.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In conventional computer systems, including a portable computerand the like, an external display device can be connected with I/O portsprovided in the computer main body, so that a display device can beprovided in addition to the computer LCD monitor connected to the mainbody. In the computer system including the additional external displaydevice, graphic cards connectable to a plurality of display devices areprovided in the main body of the computer system, so that a same picture(image) is displayed on the plurality of display devices.

[0006] As disclosed in Korean patent first publication No. 2001-19105,if a Set-Top Box is installed, pictures displayed on a plurality ofdisplay devices may be different from one another. In a presentation andthe like, it may be desirable that pictures displayed on the displaydevice of the main body are the same as the pictures displayed on theexternal display device, but occasionally the pictures should bedifferent. For example, during a presentation, a presenter may want tosee a particular picture or a working process without opening thepicture or the working process to the public (viewing audience). Inparticular, if the same picture is displayed on the display device ofthe main body and the external display device, the presentation may notbe performed smoothly, thereby decreasing concentration of the viewersand the efficiency of the presentation.

[0007] Further, if a Set-Top Box or another device is used to outputdifferent images to be displayed on the display device of the main bodyand the external display device, it may increase the presentation systemcost or make the presentation not smooth, because the display devicesare not closely connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a computer systemwith a plurality of display devices simultaneously displaying the sameor different pictures (images) as needed, and a method of displayingwith such a computer system.

[0009] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be setforth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention.

[0010] The present invention may be achieved by a computer system havinga main body; a first display device connected to the main body todisplay a picture; and at least one external display device connectedwith I/O ports provided in the main body to display a picture, thecomputer system comprising a user selection part selecting a picturedisplayed on the first display device; and a control part controllingtransmission of a video signal, which corresponds to the pictureselected based on a selection signal from the user selection part, tothe at least one external display device through the I/O ports andcontrolling display of the selected picture on the at least one externaldisplay device.

[0011] According to an aspect of the invention, the computer systemfurther comprises a memory part storing the video signal of the selectedpicture, wherein the control part controls displaying the video signalstored in the memory part on the external display device.

[0012] According to an aspect of the invention, the control partcontrols displaying the selected picture on the external display devicebefore a next selection signal is transmitted from the user selectionpart.

[0013] According to an aspect of the invention, the control partdetermines whether the I/O ports of the main body are connected with theat least one external display device and controls displaying theselected picture on the external display device, if the I/O ports of themain body are connected with the at least one external display device.

[0014] According to an aspect of the invention, the control partcontrols displaying a warning message on the first display device, ifthe I/O ports of the main body are not connected to the at least onedisplay device.

[0015] The present invention may also be achieved by a method ofdisplaying on a computer system that comprises a main body; a firstdisplay device connected to the main body to display a picture; and atleast one external display device connected with I/O ports provided inthe main body to display a picture, the display method comprisingselecting the picture displayed on the first display device by anoperation of a user; and displaying the selected picture on the at leastone external display device.

[0016] According to an aspect of the invention, the display methodfurther comprises storing a video signal of the selected picture,wherein the displaying of the selected picture on the at least oneexternal display device comprises displaying the stored video signal onthe at least one external display device.

[0017] According to an aspect of the invention, the displaying of theselected picture on the at least one external display device comprisesdisplaying the selected picture on the at least one external displaydevice before a next selection signal is transmitted from the userselection part.

[0018] According to an aspect of the invention, the display methodfurther comprises determining whether the I/O ports of the main body areconnected with the at least one external display device; and displayingthe selected picture on the at least one external display device, ifdetermined that the I/O ports of the main body are connected with the atleast one external display device.

[0019] According to an aspect of the invention, the display methoddisplaying a warning message on the first display device, if the I/Oports are not connected to the at least one external display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from thefollowing description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

[0021]FIG. 1 schematically shows a computer system, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a functional control block diagram of the computersystem shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0023]FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are flow charts of displaying images on thecomputer system shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a sequence chart of conventional video signals;

[0025]FIGS. 5A and 5B are sequence charts of video signals output tofirst and other computer display devices, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain thepresent invention by referring to the figures.

[0027]FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system, according to an embodimentof the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a computer system 1comprises a computer main body 1; and a first display device 2hinge-connected to the main body 1 to display a picture (image). Aplurality of external (second) display devices 3 can be connected withI/O ports (not shown) provided in the main body 1 to display pictures.

[0028] In the FIG. 1 described embodiment, the computer system 1 is, butnot limited to, a portable computer. Concretely, the computer system 1may be a desktop computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or amobile communications apparatus, such as a cellular phone, etc., whichincludes a main body containing a microprocessor controlling a generaloperation of the computer system and a first display device displaying apicture. An external or a second display device 3 may include anotherdisplay device, such as a CRT (cathode-ray tube) or an LCD (liquidcrystal display), a projector, a TV monitor and the like. According toan aspect of the invention, the number of second display devices 3corresponds to the number of I/O ports of the main body 1.

[0029] In FIG. 1, the external display devices 3 are connected tographic cards provided in the main body 1. The graphic cards areprovided with a plurality of cables corresponding to a number of theexternal display devices 3 and an end of each cable is provided with aconnector connectable to a connector of the external display device 3 toinput and output a video signal. However, the present invention is notlimited to such a configuration, and an interface unit may be employedto provide a plurality of I/O ports to transmit a video signal processedin the main body 1 of the computer system to a plurality of seconddisplay devices 3 regardless of whether the second display device 3 isan internal or an external unit.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a functional control block diagram of the computersystem shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 2, the computer system 1 of the presentinvention comprises a user selection part 11 to select a picture (outputimage) displayed on the first display device 2, i.e., a monitor of thecomputer main body 1; a memory part 13 to store temporarily the selectedpicture; and a control part 15 controlling display of the selectedpicture on the external display devices 3.

[0031] The user selection part 11 allows a user to input a selection ofdisplaying the picture being displayed on the first display device 2 onthe external display devices 3. In particular, the user selection part11 transmits the input selection to the control part 15 to control thedisplaying among two or more display devices in communication with thecomputer system 1.

[0032] Typically, the user selection part 11 is implemented as aselection view software supplied to a user for displayed image selectionconvenience. The selection view software comprises a selection moduleloadable at any time before or during an image display operation toreceive a user displayed image selection. Typically, the user displayedimage selection is accomplished through a click of a button displayed ona displayed image, or according to an aspect of the present invention,through a push of a predetermined keyboard hot key. The user displayedimage selection generates a displayed image selection signal, which istransmitted to the control part 15.

[0033] Typically, the selection view software embodying the userselection part 11, further comprises a running module to run theselection view software; a releasing module to release a displayed imageselection, so that in the above-described FIG. 1 example embodiment asame picture is displayed on the first and external display devices 2and 3; and an ending module to end the selection view software, therebypreventing a generation of the selection signal.

[0034] The memory part 13 stores the picture selected by a user throughthe user selection part 11. The selected picture is the picture beingdisplayed on the first display apparatus 2 at a point of time when theselection signal is generated by the user via the user selection part11. The selected picture is based on the video signal processed in thevideo signal processing part 17. Thus, the video signal corresponding tothe picture being displayed on the first display device 2 when a userselects the picture is stored in the memory part 13.

[0035] The control part 15 controls displaying the selected picture onthe external display device 3 when the selection signal is generated.More particularly, the video signal stored in the memory part 13 is readand transmitted by the control part 15. Then, the control part 15controls transmitting the read video signal to the external displaydevice 3 through the I/O ports and displaying the picture correspondingto the selected and stored video signal on the external display device3.

[0036] According to an aspect of the present invention, the video signalis in a predetermined period, for example, in a refresh period of theexternal display device 3 when transmitted to the external displaydevice 3. Thus, the picture displayed on the external display device 3can be continually displayed until a next selection signal is received.According to another aspect of the invention, the control part maycontrol storing the transmitted video signal in a memory part (notshown) of the external display device 3, and to display the stored videosignal on the external display device 3 in a predetermined period untilthe next selection signal is received.

[0037] Further, the control part 15 determines whether the main body 1is connected with the external display device 3. Typically, thedetermination of whether a connection with a second display device 3 isformed, is based upon a state of a pin of a connector provided in themain body 1. The control part 15 transmits a check signal to the pin andreceives a returned check signal from the pin, thereby checking whetherthe second display device 3 connection is formed.

[0038] In the above-described FIG. 1 example embodiment, if the controlpart 15 determines that the main body 1 is not connected to any externaldisplay device 3, a warning message, such as “No connection with theexternal display device” is displayed on a display panel of the firstdisplay device 2, typically, in the form of a dialog box provided in agraphical user interface (GUI) window or in the form of an OSD (OnScreen Display) message.

[0039]FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are flow charts of displaying images on thecomputer system shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 3A, if, at operation 41, a user runs thecomputer system 1 to work on the computer, at operation 43, a picture(image) is displayed only on the first display device 2 regardless ofbeing connected to the external display device 3, i.e., the computer 1operates according to a general computer system in which the picture isdisplayed on only one monitor connected to the computer main body 1. If,at operation 45, during a work (e.g., a presentation) with the executingcomputer system 1, a user runs the selection view software to display asame or a predetermined picture selected by the user on the firstdisplay device 2 and the external display device 3 as needed (e.g.,activates the user selection part 11, for example, via a keyboard hotkey or other input techniques), at operation 47, the same picture isdisplayed on the first display device 2 and the external display device3 by running the selection view software S7.

[0040] According to an aspect of the invention, the selection viewsoftware 11 may run simultaneously with other applications, such as animage display application, running on the computer system 1. Likereference numerals in FIGS. 3A and 3B refer to like operations afterexecution of the image display selection view software 11. In this case,as shown in FIG. 3B, if, at operation 64, the computer system 1 and theselection view software 11 are executed simultaneously (e.g., theselection view software 11 is executed during startup of the computersystem 1, or as previously started), at operation 47, a same picture isdisplayed on the first and external display devices 2 and 3. Atoperation 49, the control part 15 determines whether a selection signalis generated, wherein the selection signal makes the selected picture bedisplayed on the external display device 3, if a user selects a picturebeing displayed on the first display device 2 by using, for example, aselection button provided for displayed image selection by the selectionview software 11.

[0041] In FIG. 3A, if determined, at operation 49, that the selectionsignal is generated, then, with reference to FIG. 3C, at operation 31,it is determined (i.e., the control part 15 determines) whether at leastone external (second) display device 3 is connected with the I/O portsprovided in the computer main body. If determined, at operation 31, thatat least one external display device 3 is not connected with theconnector(s) provided in the main body 1, typically, at operation 39, awarning message, such as “No connection with an external display device”is output on a display panel of the first display device 2. In FIG. 3B,however, when the selection view software 11 is run simultaneously withrunning of the computer system, operations 31 and 39 can be avoidedafter the operation 49 determination of whether a selection signal isgenerated. In other words, when at operation 49 it is determined that adisplayed image selection signal is generated, at operation 33, thecontrol part 15 receives the displayed image selection signal forprocessing.

[0042] More particularly, if determined, at operation 31, that at leastone external display device 3 is connected with the connector(s) of themain body 1, at operation 33, a video signal corresponding to thepicture being displayed on the first display device 2 is stored by thecontrol part 15 in the memory part 13, when the selection signal isgenerated at operation 49. At operation 35, the video signal stored atoperation 33, is transmitted to the external display device 3 throughthe I/O ports provided in the main body 1. Then, at operation 37, theexternal display device 3 displays the transmitted video signal untilthe next video signal is transmitted. In other words, the stored videosignal in the memory part 13 is transmitted to the external displaydevice 3 for a predetermined period of time before the next selectionsignal is generated, so that, at operation 37, the same picture isdisplayed on the external display devices 3 for a predetermined period.

[0043]FIGS. 5A, and 5B show that pictures displayed on the first andexternal display devices 2 and 3 are the same or different according tothe generation of the selection signal, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence chart of conventional videosignals. FIGS. 5A and 5B are sequence charts of video signals output tofirst and other computer 1 display devices 2 and 3, according to anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, according to theconventional video signal sequence, the same video pictures aredisplayed on the first and external display devices 2 and 3. In otherwords, if the external display device 3 is connected or run, so that itis required, as shown in FIG. 4, to display a picture on the externaldisplay device 3, the same video signal is transmitted to and displayedon the first and the external display devices 2 and 3.

[0044]FIGS. 5A and 5B show a video signal sequence according to thepresent invention. As compared with the conventional video signalsequence, if a user runs the computer system, the video signal (e.g.,video signal 0) is displayed by the control part 15 only on the firstdisplay device 2, and not on the external display device 3. Thereafter,if the selection view software is run during a work with (i.e., duringuse on the computer system, the same effect as that generated when auser inputs a release signal (as will be described in more detailfurther below) through the user selection part 11 is generated. That is,the video signals (e.g., video signals 1, and then 2) corresponding tothe picture being displayed on the first display device 2 is transmittedby the control part 15 to the external display device 3, so that thesame picture is displayed on the first and external display devices 2and 3. As shown in FIG. 5B, if the selection view software is executedsimultaneously with the running of the computer system (for example, theselection view software is specified to a starting program in anoperating system ), the same picture (e.g., video signals 0, 1, 2) isdisplayed by the control part 15 on the first and external displaydevices 2 and 3. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in contrast tothe conventional computer system, and according to an aspect of thepresent invention (but not limited to), a video signal is notautomatically output to other connected display devices, unless theimage display selection view software is executed (see operations 41-47and 64 in FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0045] In FIGS. 5A and 5B, if a displayed image selection of a user isinput through the user selection part 11, a selection signal isgenerated (i.e., displayed image selection signals 1, 2). Whenever theselection signal (e.g., selection signal 1) is generated, the videosignal (e.g., video signal 3) corresponding to the picture beingdisplayed on the first display device 2 is also transmitted by thecontrol part 15 to the external display device 3. Thus, if the selectionsignal 1 is generated, the same picture (e.g., video signal 3) as thatbeing displayed on the first display apparatus 2, at the point of timewhen the selection signal is generated, is also identically displayed onthe external display device 3.

[0046] More particularly, when a selection signal (referred to asselection signal-1 in FIG. 5A) is transmitted to the external displaydevice 3, the picture based on the video signal corresponding to theselection signal (referred to as the video signal-3 in FIG. FIG. 5A) iscontinually displayed until a next generated selection signal (referredto as the selection signal-2 in FIG. 5A) is transmitted to the externaldisplay device 3. Therefore, in FIG. 5A, while pictures corresponding tothe video signals-4 through -6 are displayed on the first display device2, the video signal-3 corresponding to the selection signal-1 iscontinually displayed on the external display device 3, so that picturesdisplayed on the first and external display devices 2 and 3 aredifferent from each other. After the next generated selection signal 2,another picture (e.g., video signal 7) as that being displayed on thefirst display apparatus 2, at the point of time when the secondselection signal 2 is generated, is also identically displayed also onthe external display device 3.

[0047] If pictures displayed on the first and external display devices 2and 3 do not need to be different from each other, a user can generate arelease signal by using a release button provided by the selection viewsoftware 11. More particularly, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, at operation 51, itis determined whether the release signal is generated, and if, atoperation 51, generation of the release signal is determined, then, atoperation 53, the function of the image display selection view softwareis released. In other words, at operation 53, an input release commandreleases the displayed image selection function. Thus, at operation 53,upon generation of the release signal 1, the pictures (e.g., videosignals 9 and 10) displayed on the first and external display devices 2and 3 are the same, because the video signal provided on the externaldisplay device 3 is the same as that provided on the first displaydevice 2.

[0048] In FIGS. 3A and 3B, if it is no more required to provide thepicture on the external display device 3, a user may generate an endsignal by using an end button provided in the selection view software11. More particularly, at operation 55, it is determined whether the endsignal is generated, and if, at operation 55, generation of the endsignal is determined, then, at operation 57, the image display selectionview software terminates execution. Then, at operation 59, thetransmitting of the video signal to the external display device 3 isended, so that the picture (e.g., video signals 11 and 12) is, as shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B, displayed only on the first display device 2.

[0049] According to the present invention, the same or differentpictures can be displayed on a plurality of display devices according toa user selection. Thus, a working space (displayed presentation images)required to be closed to the public (a viewing audience) can be closed,thereby increasing the concentration of the public and effectiveness ofthe work. The processes of the present invention as embodied, forexample, in the user selection part 11, the control part 15, the memorypart 13, and (as the case may be) in the picture processing part 17, areimplemented in software and/or computing hardware. A computer system ofthe invention has a main body, a first display device connected to themain body to display a picture, and at least one other display device incommunication with the main body to display a picture. The computersystem has a user selection part to allow input of a selection ofdisplaying an image displayed on the first display device on the atleast one other display device until another input selection or release.A control part (as implemented in software and/or hardware) controlstransmission of a video signal corresponding to the selected image tothe at least one other display device based on the user selection part.Thus, same or different images can be displayed on a plurality ofdisplay devices according to a user displayed image selection.

[0050] Therefore, the present invention provides a computer system(i.e., any computing device, such as, without limitation, a desktopcomputer, a laptop/portable computer, a mobile phone/communication unit,a PDA, etc.) connectable with a first display device and at least onesecond display device, and comprising an image processor (e.g., imageprocessing part 17) displaying an image on the first display device; anda programmed computer processor (i.e., the user selection part/displayedimage selection view software 11 and controller 15) allowing selectionof the image processor image displayed on the first display device, anddisplaying the selected image on the at least one second display devicewhile the image processor displays the image or a different image on thefirst display device. According to an aspect of invention, theprogrammed computer processor displays a selectable graphical display ofan image selection button on the image processor image for selectionthereof. According to another aspect of the invention, the programmedcomputer processor allows releasing the displaying of the selected imageon the at least one second display device. Further, the presentinvention provides a machine readable storage storing at least oneprogram controlling a computer with at least two or more display devicesaccording to a process that comprises allowing selection of an imagedisplayed on a first display device, and displaying the selected imageon second display devices while the selected image or a different imageis displayed on the first display device. Therefore, the presentinvention is directed to controlling storage (interception or retrieval)of video signals corresponding to an image currently displayed by animage processor on a display device, when a user selects the image, andoutputting the stored video signals to other display devices independentof the displaying of the selected image or other images by the imageprocessor on the first display device, and until a next image isselected or release of the displayed image selection function.

[0051] Further, the present invention provides, a method ofsimultaneously displaying same or different images on a plurality ofdisplay devices connected to a computer system, in response to a userinput displayed image selection. According to an aspect of the inventionthe method further comprises displaying an image by an image processoron a first display device, displaying a selectable graphical display ofa displayed image selection button on the image processor image on thefirst display device for selection thereof by the user (e.g., loadingthe displayed image selection view software 11), storing the imageprocessor image on the first display device in a memory, in response toa selection of the image processor image as the user input displayedimage selection via the image selection button, and displaying thestored image processor image on second display devices independent ofthe displaying of the displaying by the image processor on the firstdisplay device, until a next selection of a next image processor imageor a release of the displaying the stored image processor image on thesecond display devices.

[0052] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined inthe appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system having a main body, a firstdisplay device connected to the main body to display images, and atleast one external display device connected with 1/0 ports provided inthe main body to display the images, the computer system comprising: adisplayed image selector selecting one of the images displayed on thefirst display device, in response to a user input; and a controllercontrolling transmission of a video signal corresponding to the selectedimage, based on an image selection signal from the displayed imageselector, to the at least one external display device through the I/Oports to display the selected image on the at least one external displaydevice.
 2. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprisinga memory part storing the video signal of the selected image, whereinthe controller controls displaying the video signal stored in the memorypart on the at least one external display device.
 3. The computer systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller controls displaying theselected image on the at least one external display device until a nextimage selection signal is transmitted from the displayed image selector.4. The computer system according to claim 2, wherein the controllercontrols displaying the selected image on the at least one externaldisplay device until a next image selection signal is transmitted fromthe displayed image selector.
 5. The computer system according to claim1, wherein the controller determines whether the I/O ports of the mainbody are connected with the at least one external display device, andcontrols displaying the selected image on the at least one externaldisplay device, if the I/O ports of the main body are connected with theat least one external display device.
 6. The computer system accordingto claim 2, wherein the controller determines whether the I/O ports ofthe main body are connected with the at least one external displaydevice, and controls displaying the selected image on the at least oneexternal display device, if the I/O ports of the main body are connectedwith the at least one external display device.
 7. The computer systemaccording to claim 5, wherein the controller controls displaying awarning message on the first display device, if the I/O ports of themain body are not connected to the at least one external display device.8. The computer system according to claim 6, wherein the controllercontrols displaying a warning message on the first display device, ifthe I/O ports of the main body are not connected to the at least oneexternal display device.
 9. A method of displaying on a computer systemhaving a main body, a first display device connected to the main body todisplay an image, and at least one external display device connectedwith I/O ports provided in the main body to display an external displayimage, the display method comprising: selecting the image displayed onthe first display device according to a user input; and displaying theselected image on the at least one external display device, in responseto the user input image selection.
 10. The display method according toclaim 9, further comprising: providing a memory part storing a videosignal of the selected image, wherein the displaying of the selectedimage on the at least one external display device comprises displayingthe video signal stored in the memory part on the at least one externaldisplay device.
 11. The display method according to claim 9, wherein thedisplaying of the selected image on the at least one external displaydevice comprises displaying the selected image on the at least oneexternal display device until a next user input image selection.
 12. Thedisplay method according to claim 10, wherein the displaying of theselected image on the at least one external display device comprisesdisplaying the selected image on the at least one external displaydevice until a next user input image selection.
 13. The display methodaccording to claim 9, further comprising: determining whether the I/Oports of the main body are connected with the at least one externaldisplay device; and displaying the selected image on the at least oneexternal display device, if determined that the I/O ports of the mainbody are connected with the at least one external display device. 14.The display method according to claim 10, further comprising:determining whether the I/O ports of the main body are connected withthe at least one external display device; and displaying the selectedimage on the at least one external display device, if determined thatthe I/O ports of the main body are connected with the at least oneexternal display device.
 15. The display method according to claim 13,further comprising: displaying a warning message on the first displaydevice, if the I/O ports are not connected to the at least one externaldisplay device.
 16. The display method according to claim 14, furthercomprising: displaying a warning message on the first display device, ifthe I/O ports are not connected to the at least one external displaydevice.
 17. A computing device connectable with a first display deviceand at least one second display device, comprising: an image processordisplaying an image on the first display device; and a programmedcomputer processor allowing selection of the image processor imagedisplayed on the first display device, and displaying the selected imageon the at least one second display device while the image processordisplays the image or a different image on the first display device. 18.The computing device of claim 17, wherein the programmed computerprocessor displays a selectable graphical display of an image selectionbutton on the image processor image for selection thereof.
 19. Thecomputing device of claim 17, wherein the programmed computer processorallows releasing the displaying of the selected image on the at leastone second display device.
 20. A machine readable storage storing atleast one program controlling a computer with at least two or moredisplay devices according to a process comprising: allowing selection ofan image displayed on a first display device; and displaying theselected image on second display devices while the selected image or adifferent image is displayed on the first display device.
 21. A method,comprising: simultaneously displaying same or different images on aplurality of display devices connected to a computer, in response to auser input displayed image selection.
 22. The method of claim 21,further comprising: displaying an image by an image processor on a firstdisplay device; displaying a selectable graphical display of an imageselection button on the image processor image on the first displaydevice for selection thereof by the user; storing the image processorimage on the first display device in a memory, in response to aselection of the image processor image as the user input displayed imageselection via the image selection button; and displaying the storedimage processor image on second display devices independent of thedisplaying of the displaying by the image processor on the first displaydevice, until a next selection of a next image processor image or arelease of the displaying the stored image processor image on the seconddisplay devices.